Veteran entertainer Bert Newton has no plans to bow out of showbiz anytime soon, saying his starring role in the musical Wicked is keeping him refreshed.
The TV and theatre star, who turned 71 in July, says he's energised being among such a young cast in the hit musical, which opens in Sydney on Saturday after 13 months in Melbourne.
"It's the youngest company that I've worked with," Newton told AAP on Thursday at The Capitol Theatre.
"The average age of the ensemble is early or mid 20s.
"It's only (co-star) Maggie (Kirkpatrick) and myself that lift up the aggregate slightly. I find that terrific. I find it very invigorating. I love being around young people."
Having just signed another three-year contract with the Nine Network, where he hosts the popular show 20 to 1, Newton insists retirement is far from his mind.
"Life at the moment, I wouldn't change anything," Newton said.
"I think you slow down for one of two reasons. If your health remains okay, you've got a clear path; if it doesn't, you've got to rethink things.
"Retirement, as I see it, in show business is usually a result of health that could be better or a tap on the shoulder.
"And, I haven't had that tap on the shoulder yet. I keep moving around pretty quickly."
Newton has been playing the role of the Wizard in Melbourne since November, when he took over from his good friend Rob Guest after he died from a stroke October.
He said the cast had really accepted him, and he wanted to do the role because he knew Guest would've done the same for him.
"It was a very hard time for them. I don't know how they pulled themselves together," Newton said.
Newton has played in a string of musical theatre productions including Beauty and the Beast, The Producers and The Sound of Music, but he says there is "a magic" about Wicked.
The musical tells the story of the fiery witch Elphaba, played by Amanda Harrison, and the good witch Glinda, played by Lucy Durak, and their adventures in the land of Oz.
Produced by John Frost, it stars Rob Mills as Fiyero the playboy prince, and Kirkpatrick as headmistress Madame Morrible.
Around the world it has been seen by more than 20 million people, won a raft of awards and grossed nearly $1.6 billion.
Newton said he wanted to stay with the show until the season's end, while commuting back home to Melbourne for a few days each week.
"Eight performances a week, and my work at Nine keeps me reasonably busy, and I demand that I maintain a good family life too," Newton said.
"I'm now a grandfather of two beautiful young kids."
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